Movable outdoor shelters

ABSTRACT

A movable outdoor shelter is weight anchored, for example self-stable, includes a plurality of skid members, and is adapted and configured to be selectively movable. The movable outdoor shelter further includes one or more skid coupling mechanisms which are adapted and configured to be attached to a towing device, which in turn selectively attaches to e.g. a vehicle used to move such movable outdoor shelter.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Non-Provisional Application, claiming priorityunder 35 U.S.C. 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No.60/720,237, filed Sep. 24, 2005, which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates generally to relatively small enclosures,buildings, and/or other structures, which address various needs oflandowners and/or occupants. Exemplary of such landowners and/oroccupants include, but are not limited to, rural homeowners, farmers,recreational farmers e.g. hobby farmers, city dwellers, and/or others.Namely, the present invention enables landowners and/or occupants torelocate relatively small enclosures, buildings, and/or otherstructures, as desired, without the use of wheels, tires, and/or otherrolling-type running gear.

Although movable, the shelters of the present invention are primarilyshelters and not vehicles, since vehicles are adapted and configuredprimarily for locomotive or other travel. To the contrary, the sheltersof the present invention are primarily stationary structures, e.g.self-stable structures or mass-stable structures, which are adapted andconfigured to be movable over generally small or other distances.

Typical enclosures and shelters which belong to rural homeowners,farmers, recreational farmers e.g. hobby farmers, city dwellers, and/orothers, include various animal feeder devices such as bunk and otherlivestock feeders, gazebos, greenhouses, and dog kennels.

Typical bunk feeders have no top enclosure or roof structure, wherebythe feeder contents are generally exposed to weather, direct sunlight,and/or other elements or conditions. Also, typical bunk feeders areeither stationary with no generally no provision for easy movement ofthe feeder or mounted upon a vehicle-type chassis or running gear,whereby the feeder rolls on wheels and/or pneumatic or other tires. Suchvehicle-type chassis or running gear makes these feeders relativelyexpensive, compared to those without.

Typical gazebos are permanently-fixed in location. The floor is either acement slab or elevated from the ground. The gazebo is typicallyanchored to the ground or other underlying surface by way of variousbuilding anchoring techniques, such as a plurality of posts anchored tothe ground using concrete footings which extend into the ground.

Typical greenhouses are permanently-fixed in location. The floor may bea concrete slab, or an elevated patio deck. In any event, the floor ispermanently affixed to the ground, the walls are built upon the floor,and the roof is supported from the walls.

However, there are some known “knock-down” i.e. portable by way ofdisassembly, greenhouses, where the floor is part of the assembly. Insuch knock-down portable greenhouses, the floor is not permanentlyattached to the ground. However, the greenhouse is portable only in thesense that it can be disassembled, the pieces moved to a new location,and then reassembled, whereby the inhabiting plants cannot remain in thegreenhouse while it is being moved, because the greenhouse must first bedisassembled in preparation for the move.

Typical dog kennels are permanently-fixed in location. Namely, a typicaldog kennel includes fencing-type boundary walls which are attached to aconcrete slab or other slab which prevents the confined dog from diggingunder the boundary walls and escaping. The concrete or other slab is notmovable, whereby the typical dog kennel is fixed in location.

Accordingly, enclosures and shelters such as bunk and other livestockfeeders, gazebos, greenhouses, and dog kennels, present numerousproblems for uses, since they are typically fixed in location. As oneexample, since such enclosures and shelters are fixed in location, theparticular location of such enclosures and shelters may on occasioninterfere with e.g. family or social functions either by physicalobstruction or by presenting an aesthetically non-desired appearance(referred to by some as e.g. an “eye-sore” or some other nuisance).

Accordingly, regardless of the particular style of outdoor enclosure,shelter, or housing unit, it might prove desirable and/or beneficial toprovide outdoor structures, enclosures, and/or shelters which are weightanchored, self-stable, and which are suitably movable across, forexample, relatively short or other distances, by way of e.g. dragging orskidding, as desired.

SUMMARY

The invention generally provides outdoor shelters which are movable yetweight anchored, for example self-stable, include a plurality of skidmembers, and are adapted and configured to be selectively movable. Themovable outdoor shelter further includes one or more skid couplingmechanisms which are adapted and configured to be attached to a towingdevice, which in turn selectively attaches to an e.g. vehicle used tomove such movable outdoor shelter.

In a first family of embodiments, the invention comprehends a movableoutdoor shelter, for movable use upon an underlying support surface,having: (a) a plurality of walls which generally defines an upwardlyextending perimeter of the movable outdoor shelter; (b) a roof structureconnected to an upper portion of the plurality of walls; (c) a generallyplanar and continuous floor structure connected to a lower portion ofthe plurality of walls and vertically displaced from such underlyingsupport surface; and (d) a skid assembly comprising at least twoelongate skids generally laterally displaced from and parallel to eachother, the movable outdoor shelter weight anchored upon a supportingland surface, whereby the movable outdoor shelter can be skiddinglymoved, between a first location and a second location, while maintainingits structural integrity.

In some embodiments, the movable outdoor shelter defines a bunk-stylefeed holder.

In some embodiments, the movable outdoor shelter defines a feed holder.

In some embodiments, the movable outdoor shelter defines a dog kennel.

In some embodiments, the movable outdoor shelter defines a greenhouse.

In some embodiments, the movable outdoor shelter defines a gazebo.

In some embodiments, the movable outdoor shelter defines a chicken coop.

In some embodiments, the movable outdoor shelter defines a livestockhousing unit.

In some embodiments, ones of the at least two elongate skids defines agenerally square cross-sectional area, along a major portion of thelength thereof.

In some embodiments, the skid assembly is removably attached to theoutdoor shelter.

In a second family of embodiments, the invention comprehends a movableoutdoor shelter, having: (a) a shelter assembly which includes a floorand a roof, the roof having first and second lateral most edges whichdefine a roof width dimension therebetween; and (b) a skid assemblyhaving at least first and second skid members laterally displaced fromeach other, each of the first and second skid members having anoutwardly facing lateral surface, the distance between the outwardlyfacing lateral surfaces of the first and second skid members defining askid assembly width dimension therebetween, wherein the magnitude of theroof width dimension is greater than the magnitude of the skid assemblywidth dimension.

In some embodiments, ones of the first and second skids define agenerally square cross-sectional area, along a major portion of thelength thereof.

In a third family of embodiments, the invention comprehends a movableoutdoor shelter, having: (a) a shelter assembly which includes a roof,the roof, as viewed from above, defining a roof perimeter having a roofperimeter length; and (b) a skid assembly having a plurality ofoutwardly facing surfaces which, in combination, define a skid assemblyperimeter having a skid assembly perimeter length, the magnitude of theroof perimeter length being greater than the magnitude of the skidassembly perimeter length.

In some embodiments, generally no portion of the skid assembly extendsoutwardly beyond the roof perimeter.

In some embodiments, the skid assembly defines a lowermost surfaceadapted and configured to skiddingly interface with an underlyingsupport surface, wherein the skid assembly perimeter length isdetermined at the perimeter of the skid assembly, proximate thelowermost surface.

In some embodiments, a first one of the at least two elongate skidsdefines a ground contact surface and a length thereof and generally liesunder a first wall of the shelter, the magnitude of the length of theground contact surface of the first skid being less than the magnitudeof the length of the wall, whereby the first skid contact surface isrelatively shorter than the length of the first wall.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a pictorial view of a first embodiment of movable outdoorshelters of the invention.

FIG. 2A shows a pictorial view of a second embodiment of movable outdoorshelters of the invention.

FIG. 2B shows a pictorial view of a variant of the movable outdoorshelter of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 3A shows a pictorial view of a third embodiment of movable outdoorshelters of the invention.

FIG. 3B shows a pictorial view of a variant of the movable outdoorshelter of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 4A shows a pictorial view of a fourth embodiment of movable outdoorshelters of the invention.

FIG. 4B shows a variant of the movable outdoor shelter of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 4C shows a pictorial view of another variant of the movable outdoorshelter of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 4D shows a pictorial view of another variant of the movable outdoorshelter of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 5A shows a pictorial view of a fifth embodiment of movable outdoorshelters of the invention.

FIG. 5B shows a pictorial view of a variant of the movable outdoorshelter of FIG. 5A.

FIG. 5C shows a pictorial view of another variant of the movable outdoorshelter of FIG. 5A.

FIG. 5D shows a pictorial view of another variant of the movable outdoorshelter of FIG. 5A.

FIG. 5E shows a pictorial view of another variant of the movable outdoorshelter of FIG. 5A.

FIG. 6A shows a pictorial view of a sixth embodiment of movable outdoorshelters of the invention.

FIG. 6B shows a pictorial view of a variant of the movable outdoorshelter of FIG. 6A.

FIG. 6C shows a pictorial view of another variant of the movable outdoorshelter of FIG. 6A.

FIG. 6D shows a pictorial view of another variant of the movable outdoorshelter of FIG. 6A.

FIG. 6E shows a pictorial view of a door extending through a wall of themovable outdoor shelter of FIG. 6A in a first, closed, position.

FIG. 6F shows a pictorial view of the door of FIG. 6D in a second, open,position.

FIG. 7 shows an exploded pictorial view of the movable outdoor shelterof FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 shows an exploded pictorial view of the movable outdoor shelterof FIG. 2A.

FIG. 9 shows an exploded pictorial view of the movable outdoor shelterof FIG. 3A.

FIG. 10 shows an exploded pictorial view of the movable outdoor shelterof FIG. 4A.

FIG. 11 shows an exploded pictorial view of the movable outdoor shelterof FIG. 5A.

FIG. 12 shows an exploded pictorial view of the movable outdoor shelterof FIG. 6A.

FIG. 13 shows a pictorial view of a first embodiment of skid assembliesof the invention.

FIG. 14 shows a pictorial view of a second embodiment of skid assembliesof the invention.

FIG. 15 shows a pictorial view of a third embodiment of skid assembliesof the invention.

FIG. 16 shows a pictorial view of a fourth embodiment of skid assembliesof the invention.

FIG. 17 shows a pictorial view of a fifth embodiment of skid assembliesof the invention.

FIG. 18 shows a pictorial view of a sixth embodiment of skid assembliesof the invention.

FIG. 19 shows a pictorial view of a seventh embodiment of skidassemblies of the invention.

The invention is not limited in its application to the details ofconstruction or the arrangement of the components set forth in thepreceding and following descriptions or illustrated in the drawings. Theinvention is capable of other embodiments or of being practiced orcarried out in other various ways. Also, it is to be understood that theterminology and phraseology employed herein is for purpose ofdescription and illustration and should not be regarded as limiting.Like reference numerals are used to indicate like components.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows a movable outdoor shelter, e.g. movable outdoor shelter 5,which includes shelter structure 10, skid assembly 17, optionally skidcoupling device 20. Movable outdoor shelter 5 is adapted and configuredto enable a user to, as desired, move the shelter by dragging, pulling,towing, hauling, drawing, tugging, optionally pushing, from a firstlocation to a second location.

A user uses a tractor apparatus, e.g. tractor apparatus “T” and towingdevice “TD” to drag, tow, haul, draw, and/or tug movable outdoor shelter5. Tractor apparatus “T” includes, but is not limited to, all-terrainvehicles (ATV's), sport-utility vehicles (SUV's), trucks, cars,tractors, lawn and/or garden tractors, skid-steer loaders, and/orothers.

Towing device “TD” connects movable outdoor shelter 5 to tractorapparatus “T.” Towing device “TD” includes a variety of generally rigidand generally non-rigid structures. Exemplary of such generallynon-rigid structures suitable for use as towing device “TD” include, butare not limited to, cable, rope, chain, wire, and/or others. Exemplaryof such generally rigid structures suitable for use as towing device“TD” include, but are not limited to, various pieces of tubing, piping,and/or other stock, as single pieces or as an assemblage of a pluralityof pieces, such as a tow-bar and/or others. In some embodiments, towingdevice “TD” further includes various other components suitable toremovably attach towing device “TD” to movable outdoor shelter 5, suchvarious other components including, but not limited to, clevises,C-clips, spring-clips, and/or others.

Movable outdoor shelter 5 is a self-stable, for example, weightanchored, but movable, e.g. small enclosure, building, and/or otherstructure, which is generally devoid of wheels, tires, and/or otherrolling-type running gear. Movable outdoor shelters 5 are movable overland surfaces such as ground, pavement, concrete, gravel, and/or othersolid-land surfaces.

Movable outdoor shelter 5 is adapted and configured to sufficientlyresist non-desired movement. Namely, moveable outdoor shelter 5 has amass sufficiently great in magnitude and defies a coefficient offriction sufficiently great in magnitude between the shelter and theground surface so that typically, the shelter remains stationary orstatic.

Accordingly, movable outdoor shelter 5 is sufficiently resistant tomovement with respect to the ground that the shelter, itself, is stablewith respect to the ground in normal operation, is not readily movedduring the course of normal use of the shelter, until, unlessintentionally moved by applying a force abnormal to the normal use ofthe building.

Since the movable outdoor shelters 5 are primarily structures orshelters and not primarily vehicles, the movable outdoor shelters 5 aremovable with substantial effort, which can impose substantial stressesupon the shelters. Accordingly, movable outdoor shelters 5 are adaptedand configured to withstand such stresses associated with moving theshelters, whereby movable outdoor shelters 5 are sufficiently strong,durable, and robust to withstand such moving stresses.

Shelter structure 10 includes any of a variety of relatively smallenclosures, buildings, and/or other structures, which address variousneeds of landowners and/or occupants. Examples of such structuresinclude, but are not limited to, (i) animal foodstuff holding ordelivery devices which include various feeder devices, water tanks,and/or other foodstuff holding or delivery devices, e.g. bunk feeder 110(FIGS. 2 and 8), (ii) recreational, storage, agricultural, or dwellingstructures, e.g. gazebo 210 (FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 9) and cabins, shacks,sheds, horticultural buildings, botany buildings, agronomy buildings,and/or other plant care and/or rearing buildings e.g. greenhouse 310,(iii) animal housing enclosures such dog kennels, chicken coops, calfhutches, bird aviaries, feline e.g. exotic feline housing enclosures,rodent housing enclosures, and/or other animal housing enclosures,exemplarily illustrated as dog kennels 410 (FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C, 5D, 5E,11, and 12), and/or others.

Shelter structure 10 includes floor 12, upright posts 14, and roof 16.Floor 12 is generally planar, has a plurality of side edges which incombination define a generally polygonal perimeter which is illustratedas a rectangular floor perimeter in FIGS. 1 and 7.

In some embodiments, a plurality of elongate flooring members arearranged adjacent to each other, respective adjacent ones abutting andinterfacing each other, optionally spaced from each other to enable easydraining of e.g. wash-water, and/or other liquids or various othermaterials, therebetween.

In such embodiments, the assemblage of the plurality of flooring membersgenerally defines floor 12. The preferred material for the flooringmembers are planks of extruded material which includes recycled plastic,such as high density polyethylene, as a component, optionally as theentire extrusion. Such extruded planks are readily available, are UVresistant, and are non-porous. Thus, the plastic planks make a tough,non-absorbing surface which does not absorb and hold various non-desiredsubstances which may come into contact with floor 12 during typical useof shelter structure 10.

Upright posts 14 are each an elongate member with a lower end and anupper end. The lower ends of upright posts 14 interface with, and areattached to, floor 12, namely the upper surface of floor 12. Uprightposts 14 extend generally perpendicularly upwardly from the uppersurface of floor 12 and terminate at the respective upper ends of theposts.

Ones of upright posts 14 are spaced from and are generally parallel toother ones of upright posts 14, generally about the perimeter of floor12, as desired. In a given shelter structure 10, the particular numberof upright posts 14 and their particular orientation, alignment, andother characteristics, are based, at least in part, on the overall size,shape, mass, configuration, and intended use environment, of shelterstructure 10.

As desired, walls extend generally uprightly from floor 12. The wallsextend between various ones of upright posts 14. In some embodiments,the walls extend upwardly along part of, but generally less than theentirety of, the lengths of the respective upright posts 14. In otherwords, as desired, the walls extend only part of the way between floor12 and roof 16, whereby the magnitude of the length dimension of thewalls is generally less than the magnitude of the length dimension ofupright post 14.

In other embodiments, the walls extend along the entire length ofupright posts 14. In other words, as desired, the walls extend generallythe entire way between floor 12 and roof 16, whereby the magnitude ofthe length dimension of the walls corresponds closely to the magnitudeof the length dimension of upright posts 14. Such full-length walls aredesirable when, for example, a generally entirely enclosed structure isdesired.

Regardless, of the particular number of upright posts 14 and theirparticular size, orientation, alignment, and other characteristics, andparticular number of wall segments and their particular size,orientation, alignment, and other characteristics, the upright posts 14and/or corresponding wall segments, individually and/or in combination,are adapted and configured to provide load bearing support to roof 16.

Roof 16 includes one or more generally planar roof panels which areadapted and configured to at least partially prevent, negate, orattenuate exposure of the interior of shelter structure 10 to e.g.weather precipitation, other climate influences and/or other atmosphericphenomenon. In general, roof 16 defines the uppermost portion of theassemblage of movable outdoor shelter 5.

Roof 16, illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 7, includes first and second roofpanel portions. Each roof panel has a length and a width dimension,upper and lower surfaces, an inner edge, and an outer edge. Theparticular number, shape, and/or other characteristics of ones of theroof panels are selected based at least in part on the desired overallconfiguration and adaptation of movable outdoor shelter 5, whereby theroof 16 assemblage is suitable for its intended purpose, be it to shielda user from the precipitating elements, to shield a user from sunlightor other ambient influences, to shield a user from the precipitatingelements while permitting sunlight to pass therethrough, and/or others.

The inner edges of the two roof panels are connected to each other. Fromthe seam of joinder between the two roof panels, each of the first andsecond roof panels extends generally downwardly and away therefrom. Inother words, as viewed from an end elevation view, roof 16 appears togenerally define an inverted-V shape. The particular slope or pitch ofthe roof panels is selected to be suitable for the intended useenvironment of shelter structure 10 and depends on various factors whichinclude, but are not limited to, the typical amount and type ofprecipitation in the end use environment, the rate of desired run-off ofsuch precipitation from roof 16, and/or others.

Roof 16 interfaces with and is attached to the upper ends of ones ofupright posts 14. In other words, the lower surface of roof 16interfaces with e.g. the terminal end surface, or other surfaces, of theupper end of various ones, optionally all, of upright posts 14, wherebyones of the upright posts generally support roof 16 and attach the roofto the remainder of the shelter structure 10. Upright posts 14 areattached to roof 16 by any of a variety of attachment means, whichinclude, but are not limited to, various hardware devices and componentssuch as screws, nails, bolts and nuts, brackets, mending straps, and/orothers, as desired.

Roof 16 can be made from any of a variety of suitable materials. Suchsuitable materials for use in roof 16 include various metallic andnon-metallic materials and components. Exemplary of such suitablemetallic roofing materials and/or roofing components include, but arenot limited to, steel roofing materials e.g. standing-seam steel roofingmaterials, sheet steel materials, corrugated steel roofing materials,other steel roofing materials, aluminum roofing materials, tin roofingmaterials, and/or other suitable metallic roofing materials.

Exemplary of such suitable non-metallic roofing materials and/orcomponents include, but are not limited to, wood based roofingmaterials, e.g. wood sheathing which may or may not be covered byvarious shingles, shakes, rubber or other membranes, tiles, and others.Further examples of such suitable non-metallic roofing materials and/orcomponents include, but are not limited to, fiberglass roofingmaterials, various polymeric roofing materials, and/or others.

Skid assembly 17 is attached to e.g. the bottom portion of shelterstructure 10 and includes one or more skid members 18, skid couplingdevice 20, and optionally one or more cross members e.g. cross members30A, 30B, 30C (FIGS. 10, 11, and 12) and/or others.

As desired, skid assembly 17 can be removably attached to e.g. thebottom portion of shelter structure 10. As one example, skid assembly 17and shelter structure 10 can have corresponding brackets or othersuitable hardware, ones of which are correspondingly spaced and orientedwith respect to each other, that are adapted and configured to accepte.g. hitch pins, linch pins, bolts, threaded rods, or other suitablehardware, through corresponding apertures which are in alignment witheach other, which enables removable attachment of shelter structure 10to skid assembly 17. Those skilled in the art are aware of othersuitable methods of removably attaching shelter structure 10 to skidassembly 17 including, but not limited to, suitably sized and configuredlatches, toggle clamps, load binders, and/or others.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 7, each of skid members 18A, 18B, is anelongate member with a length dimension generally defined between firstand second ends, a width dimension and a thickness dimension. The lengthdimension of ones of skid members 18A, 18B corresponds to the lengthdimension of shelter structure 10. As one example, in some embodiments,the ends of skid members 18A, 18B lie completely under shelter structure10, whereby the ends of skid members 18A, 18B generally do not protrudeoutwardly beyond the perimeter of shelter structure 10.

As another example, in some embodiments, ones of the ends of skidmembers 18A, 18B extend outwardly beyond the perimeter of shelterstructure 10, e.g. the magnitude of the length dimension of ones of skidmembers 18A, 18B is greater than the magnitude of the length dimensionof shelter structure 10 and one or more of the ends of ones of skidmembers 18A, 18B extend outwardly beyond the perimeter of the shelterstructure. In other embodiments, the magnitude of the length dimensionof ones of skid members 18A, 18B is generally the same as or less thanthe magnitude of the length dimension of shelter structure 10, yet oneor more of the ends of ones of skid members 18A, 18B extend outwardlybeyond the perimeter of the shelter structure.

Each of skid members 18A, 18B includes at least one ramped end surface.In other words, at least one end of each skid member 18A, 18B, whenviewed in side elevation, includes a beveled configuration thereof. Suchbeveled or ramped surface enables skid assembly 17 to traverse theground surface relatively easier as compared to skid members which donot include such a ramped or beveled end. In other words, the ramped orbeveled end of skid members 18A, 18B relatively reduces the likelihoodof the end of the skid member becoming wedged into, plowing into, and/orotherwise hanging-up on or non-desiredly interfacing with the groundsurface over which skid assembly 17 traverses.

Although the ends of the skid members are illustrated and generallybeveled or ramped with generally straight-line beveled or rampedsurfaces, other suitable ramped surfaces are contemplated and wellwithin the scope of the invention. Exemplary of such other suitableramped end surfaces include, but are not limited to, arcuatelyextending, concave or convex, in profile or otherwise, end surfaces, andwell as end portions in which the entirety of such end portion arcinglyor curvingly extends upwardly, and/or others.

Skid coupling devices 20 are adapted and configured to be removablyattached to towing device “TD” as desired by the user. In general, onesof skid couplers 20 are attached to respective ends of the skid members.Preferably, at least two of the ends of the skid members, on first andsecond opposing sides of skid assembly 17, include skid couplers 20affixed thereto. Such configuration enables movable outdoor shelter 5 tobe relatively easily movable in first and second opposing directions byapplying a pulling force to the shelter 5 in a first direction,transmitted through e.g. a first pair of skid coupling devices 20,and/or applying a pulling force to shelter 5 in a second, oppositedirection, transmitted through e.g. a second pair of skid couplingdevices 20 affixed to an oppositely facing portion of the shelter 5. Inother words, ones of skid couplers 20 are preferably located upon andattached to portions of movable outdoor shelter 5 which enable a user topull the shelter from different portions thereof in order to change thedirection of shelter travel, rather than having to e.g. pullingly steerthe shelter by, for example, pulling the shelter about a 180 degreeradius turn to change the shelter to face an opposite travel direction.

Skid coupling device 20 includes cable loops 24A, 24B (FIGS. 1, 7 and13). Cable loops 24A, 24B are each a generally flexible member made frompreferably cable, optionally made from rope, wire, or other elongateflexible member. Cable loops 24A, 24B pass through a bore which extendsthrough an end of ones of skid members 18A, 18B. The bores extendgenerally parallel to the ground, through the respective ends of skidmembers 18A, 18B. Preferably, the bore of skid member 18A is generallycoaxially aligned with the bore of skid member 18B.

In some embodiments, the bores of skid members 18A, 18B pass entirelythrough the width of the skid members 18A, 18B, whereby the bores arethrough-bores. In such embodiments, cable loops 24A, 24B, as desired,pass axially through the entire bores and thus through the entire widthof skid members 18A, 18B.

In other embodiments, the bores of skid members 18A, 18B pass throughless than the entirety of the width of skid members 18A, 18B, wherebythe bore are blind bores or other bores. In such embodiments, the endsof cable loops 24A, 24B, as desired, pass axially through less than theentire width of skid member 18A, 18B, and are anchored into the bores byway of e.g. mechanical securing hardware which extends through the upperand/or lower surfaces of the ends of skid members 18A, 18B, securing theends of the cable loops 24A, 24B into the bores.

In yet other embodiments, skid members 18A, 18B are generally devoid ofbores, whereby the ends of cable loops 24A, 24B are attached,mechanically or otherwise, to various outer surfaces of the skidmembers, e.g. the outer lateral surfaces, the upper and/or lowersurfaces, portions of the ramped end surfaces, and others.

The particular number of skid members of skid assembly 17, theparticular dimensions, qualities, and/or other characteristics of theskid members, the number of cross members used in skid assembly 17 andthe particular dimensions, qualities, and/or other characteristics ofthe cross members, and/or the particular number, dimensions, qualities,and/or other characteristics of other components of skid assembly 17,are selected based at least in part on the overall desiredcharacteristics of movable outdoor shelter 5, the intended end useenvironment, and/or other factors. In addition, the particular type,dimensions, qualities, and/or other characteristics of skid couplingdevices 20 are selected based at least in part on the overall desiredcharacteristics of movable outdoor shelter 5, the type of device e.g.tractor mechanism “T” used to locate/relocate outdoor shelter 5, theintended end use environment, and/or other factors.

Skid members 18A, 18B are spaced laterally from each other and in thecomplete assemblage of movable outdoor shelter 5 are generally parallelto each other. As desired, in some embodiments, skid members 18A, 18Bare connected directly to shelter structure 10, whereby the uppersurfaces of skid members 18A, 18B generally interface with the lowersurface of floor 12. In such embodiments, skid members 18A, 18B areconnected to e.g. floor 12 by way of various suitable means ofattachment which include, but are not limited to, various hardwaredevices and components such as screws, nails, bolts and nuts, brackets,mending straps, optionally by weldment adhesion, and/or suitable meansof attachment.

In such embodiments, each flooring member can be securely mounted toeach of the skid members. As a result, the floor acts to hold the skidsrigidly spaced from each other, and the securement of the flooringmembers to the skid members holds the flooring and skid member parallelto respective ones of each other, such that the movable outdoor sheltercan tolerate the twisting forces which are inherent in the towing orother movement of the shelter.

In some embodiments, skid members 18A, 18B are attached to shelterstructure 10 by way of intermediary structure(s). Exemplary of suchintermediary structure includes cross members 30A, 30B. Each of crossmembers 30A, 30B is an elongate, generally rigid member which has alength, and upper and lower surfaces. Ones of cross members 30A, 30Bextend between respective ones of skid members 18A, 18B and intersectthe ones of skid members 18A, 18B generally perpendicularly. In otherwords, cross members 30A, 30B extend between and connect skid members18A, 18B.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, the lower surfaces of cross members 30A, 30Binterface the upper surfaces of skid members 18A, 18B. The uppersurfaces of cross members 30A, 30B interface the lower surface ofshelter structure 10, namely the lower surface of floor 12.

Cross members 30A, 30B interface with and are attached to shelterstructure 10 and to the remainder of skid assembly 17, thereby joiningthe structure and skid assembly. Thus, as desired, ones of cross members30A, 30B, 30C or other structures serve as intermediary structures whichlie between and connect shelter structure 10 and skid assembly 17.

As desired, the overall width dimension of skid assembly 17 is selectedat least partially based on, for example, the width dimension of shelterstructure 10, and the overall desired characteristics of movable outdoorshelter 5. As one example, in some embodiments, the lateral edges ofskid members 18A, 18B lie completely under shelter structure 10, wherebythe sides of skid members 18A, 18B generally do not protrude outwardlybeyond the perimeter of shelter structure 10.

As another example, in some embodiments, ones of the lateral edges ofskid members 18A, 18B extend outwardly beyond the perimeter of shelterstructure 10, e.g. the magnitude of the overall with dimension of skidassembly 17 is greater than the magnitude of the width dimension ofshelter structure 10 and one or more of the outwardly facing sides ofones of skid members 18A, 18B extend outwardly beyond the perimeter ofthe shelter structure. In other embodiments, the magnitude of overallwidth dimension of skid assembly 17 is generally the same as or lessthan the magnitude of the width dimension of shelter structure 10, yetone or more of the lateral sides of ones of skid members 18A, 18B extendoutwardly beyond the perimeter of the shelter structure.

Skid assemblies 17 and/or components thereof can be made of any of avariety of suitable materials, which include, but are not limited to,wood based materials such as wood planks or lumber, pressure treatedwood planks or lumber, otherwise treated wood planks or lumber, steel,stainless steel, aluminum, or other metallic tubing, piping, or othermetallic-stock, various polymeric materials such as polymeric tubing,piping, extrusions, mold-formed members, and/or others.

Non-limiting examples of various iterations of skid assemblies 17 areillustrated in FIGS. 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, and 19. The embodimentillustrated in FIG. 13 is similar to the embodiments illustrated inFIGS. 1, and 7. However, the skid assembly 17 of FIG. 13 defines asubstantially planar upper surface. In other words, cross members 30A,30B are recessed into skid members 18A, 18B.

In such embodiments, skid members 18A, 18B included recesses, pockets,dados, rabbets, and/or other receptacles, which extend into one or moreouter surfaces thereof. As illustrated, the receptacles extend into theupper surfaces of skid members 18A, 18B.

The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 14 differs from the embodiments ofFIGS. 1 and 7 in that e.g. it incorporates a different embodiment ofskid couplers 20. Namely, the embodiment of FIG. 14 includes, as skidcouplers 20, first and second eye bolts e.g. eye bolts 26A, 26B. Eyebolts 26A, 26B extend into the upper surfaces of skid members 18A and18B respectively, and are threadedly or otherwise secured thereto. Eyebolts 26A, 26B include, but are not limited to, eye bolts, lag eyebolts, lag ring bolts, eye screws, U-bolts, J-bolts, hook bolts, and/orothers.

The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 15 is similar to that of FIG. 14, anddiffers from the embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 7, in that e.g. itincorporates eye bolts 26A and 26B as skid couplers 20. However, theembodiment of FIG. 15 illustrates eye bolts 26A, 26B in a differentlocation than those of the embodiment of FIG. 14. Namely, as illustratedin FIG. 15, eye bolts 26A, 26B extend into and are attached to, the endsurfaces, e.g. the ramped end surfaces, of skid members 18A, 18B,respectively.

The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 16 is similar to those of FIGS. 14and 15, and differs from the embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 7, in that e.g.it incorporates eye bolts 26A and 26B as skid couplers 20. However, theembodiment illustrated in FIG. 16 shows eye bolts 26A, 26B in adifferent location than those of the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 14and 15. Namely, as illustrated in FIG. 15, eye bolts 26A, 26B extendinto and are attached to, the lateral surfaces, e.g. the outwardlyfacing lateral surfaces, of skid members 18A, 18B, respectively.

Referring now to FIGS. 2A, 2B, 8, and 17, the skid assemblies 17illustrated in these FIGURES, like previously discussed skid assemblies,include first and second skid members 18A, 18B, and first and secondcross members 30A, and 30B, which extend between and connect the skidmembers. In addition, skid assembly 17 includes at least one,illustrated as a plurality of, spacer posts 35.

Each spacer post 35 is a generally elongate, rigid, member with upperand lower ends. The lower ends of spacer posts 35 are connected to onesof cross members 30A, 30B, near or adjacent the intersection of crossmembers 30A, 30B and respective ones of skid members 18A, 18B. From suchpoint of attachment with cross members 30A, 30B, each spacer post 35extends generally upwardly therefrom, toward the particular embodimentof the shelter structure of movable outdoor shelter 5, and eachterminates at the upper end of spacer post 35, distal the remainder ofskid assembly 17. Nevertheless, it is fully contemplated, appreciated,and well within the scope of the invention, that ones of spacer posts 35can extend e.g. upwardly from various other portions of skid assembly17.

Accordingly, in some embodiments of skid assemblies 17, such as those ofFIGS. 2, 8, and 17, spacer posts 35 space e.g. a shelter structure fromthe skid members in complete assemblages of movable outdoor shelters 5.The length dimension of spacer posts 35 is selected at least partiallybased on, and corresponds to, the desired distance between the bottomsurface of the shelter structure and the ground and/or the skid members.

Referring now to FIG. 17, as desired, skid assembly 17 includes agenerally rigid towing mechanism, in lieu of or in addition to e.g. onesof skid couplers 20 and/or towing device TD. Namely, as desired, skidassembly 17 includes tow bar 28.

Tow bar 28 includes various elongate rigid members, the assemblage ofwhich defines a generally A-shaped structure. In other words, tow bar 28includes first and second angled side-rails and a tongue bar. Each ofthe first and second angled side-rails has a length dimension, a skidfacing end, and a tractor facing end.

The skid facing ends of the first and second angled side-rails areconnected to the remainder of skid assembly 17 e.g. pivotably orotherwise connected to ones of skids 18A, 18B, cross members 30A, 30B,and/or spacer posts 35. From the respective points of attachment to theremainder of skid assembly 17, each of the first and second angledside-rails extends along a generally straight line path, angularlytoward the other one of the first and second angled side rails.

The tractor facing ends of the first and second angled side-railsconnect with each other and/or with an end of the tongue bar, distal theremainder of skid assembly 17. The tongue bar extends outwardly from thefirst and second angled side-rails, generally perpendicularly from skidassembly 17. A mechanical coupling mechanism is attached to the end ofthe tongue bar which is distal the skid assembly 17 and is adapted andconfigured to removably connect the skid assembly to e.g. tractor “T.”

Referring now to FIG. 18, in some embodiments, the dimensions, mass,and/or other characteristics, of movable outdoor shelter 5 make itdesirable to provide skid assemblies 17 which include more than two skidmembers, whereby skid assembly 17 includes first, second, and third,skid members 18A, 18B, 18C, respectively.

Skid members 18A and 18C generally define the outermost lateral skidmembers. Skid member 18B lies generally between the outer skid members18A, 18C. Each of the skid members 18A, 18B, and 18C extends generallyparallel to the other ones of skid members 18A, 18B, and 18C. And crossmembers 30A, 30B extend e.g. generally perpendicularly across andconnect respective ones of skid members 18A, 18B, and 18C to other onesof skid members 18A, 18B, and 18C.

Referring now to FIG. 19, in some embodiments, the dimensions, mass,and/or other characteristics, of movable outdoor shelter 5 make itdesirable to provide skid assemblies 17 which include (i) more than twoskid members, whereby skid assembly 17 includes first, second, third,and fourth skid members 18A, 18B, 18C, 18D, respectively, and (ii) skidmembers which define generally different length dimensions e.g.relatively shorter skid members 18A, 18D and relatively longer skidmembers 18B, 19C.

Skid members 18A and 18D, the relatively shorter skid members, generallydefine the outermost lateral skid members. Skid members 18B, 19C, therelatively longer skid members, lie generally between the outer skidmembers 18A, 18C, whereby skid member 18B is adjacent skid member 18Aand skid member 18C is adjacent skid member 18D.

Each of the skid members 18A, 18B, 8C, and 18D extends generallyparallel to and laterally displaced from the other ones of skid members18A, 18B, 18C, and 18D. Cross members 30A, 30B extend e.g. generallyperpendicularly across and connect respective one of skid members 18A,18B, 18C, and 18D to other ones of skid members 18A, 18B, 18C, and 18D.As desired, skid assembly 17 can include one or more additional crossmembers which span between and connect, for example only skid members18B, 19C, adjacent their respective ends.

The length and/or other characteristics of ones of skid members 18A,18B, 8C, and 18D, are selected to as to provide some of the desiredqualities and characteristics of the movable outdoor shelter 5. Namely,the length, width, ground interfacing surface area, ground interfacingsurface characteristics, spacing between, and/or other characteristics,of the skid members are selected based on various indented end useconsiderations.

Such end use considerations include, but are not limited to e.g. the enduse environment, end use support surface, the overall mass of themovable outdoor shelter 5, and others, whereby the length, width, groundinterfacing surface area, ground interfacing surface characteristics,spacing between, and/or other characteristics, of the skid members areselected so as to provide a movable outdoor shelter which is weightanchored upon a supporting land surface, can be skiddingly moved, yetsuitably resists non-desired movement due to environmental or usefactors such as, incidental or purposeful contact from livestock orhumans, or weather such as wind velocities of, for example, greater thanabout 40 miles per hour, greater than about 50 miles per hour, greaterthan about 60 miles per hour, and/or other wind velocities, which impartforces upon movable outdoor shelters 5 during use.

In some embodiments, such as those which are primarily used by humanse.g. gazebo 210 and greenhouses 310 it can prove desirable to provideskid assemblies which present little if any trip-hazards to user of suchoutdoor shelters 5. In such embodiments, the lengths of the individualskid members 18A, 18B, 8C, and 18D are lesser in magnitudes than themagnitude of the corresponding outdoor shelter dimension(s). In otherwords, skid assembly 17 is completely underlying or tucked beneath theoutdoor shelter structure 10, whereby no part of the skid assembly 17extends outwardly beyond the perimeter of the shelter structure 10 andthus presents no trip-hazard to the end user. Stated another way, insuch embodiments, since the skid assembly 17 in its entirety liesbeneath the shelter structure 10, the magnitude of the shelter structure10 perimeter length is greater than the magnitude of the skid assembly17 perimeter length.

In some embodiments, the skid members define outermost portions thereof,e.g. uppermost, outwardly facing portions of the skid assembly, whichextend to or beyond the outer perimeter of the shelter structure 10.However, as desired, the skid members taper inwardly from such outermostportions, toward the ground interfacing surface(s) of the skid assembly17.

The resultant structure defines a skid lower surface, i.e. lowermostsurface or “foot print”, which interfaces with the ground, which isrelatively smaller in perimeter length than the oppositely facing skidupper surface. Also, in some embodiments, such lowermost surface has arelatively smaller perimeter length than the perimeter length of theshelter structure 10. In those and other e.g. illustrated embodiments,the lowermost surfaces of the skid members, or ground contact surfaces,have magnitudes of length which are less than the magnitudes of thelengths of the sidewalls which are generally adjacent thereto and whichare typically generally above the respective skid members.

In other words, movable outdoor shelters 5 are e.g. enclosures,buildings, and/or other structures which can be moved withoutdisassembly, are devoid of any forms of wheeled support, and require nobraking system to retain such enclosures, buildings, and/or otherstructures in a desired location. Thus, movable outdoor shelters 5 areweight anchored and self-stable, yet movable shelters.

Referring now to FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 8, movable outdoor shelters 5 includeshelter structures which are animal-foodstuff holding or deliverydevices, e.g. bunk feeders 110, which are connected to skid assemblies17. Bunk feeders 110 are adapted and configured to be selectivelymovable and hold, store, and/or contain various animal foodstuff whichinclude, but is not limited to, various roughages e.g. silages, dryroughages, alfalfa hays, clovers, lespedezas, timothy hays, prairiehays, brome grass hays, orchard grass hays, cereal hays, oats, corn,grain sorghum, barley, wheat, wheat bran, linseed meal, soybean meal,cottonseed meal, pelleted feeds, and/or others.

Bunk feeder 110 includes floor 112, upright posts 114, and roof 116.Floor 112 is generally planar, has a plurality of side edges which incombination define a generally polygonal perimeter which is illustratedas a rectangular floor perimeter in FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 8. Regardless ofthe particular composition of floor 112, for example whether floor 112is made from wooden, metallic, or polymeric materials, floor 112preferably includes a generally continuous and planar polymeric sheetcovering or coating attached to the upper surface thereof. The polymericsheet generally resists sticking and/or adhesion of various foodstuffsthereto.

Upright posts 114 are each an elongate member with a lower end and anupper end. The lower ends of upright posts 114 interface with, and areattached to, floor 112, namely the upper surface of floor 112,optionally to other lower portions of bunk feeder 110. Upright posts 114extend generally perpendicularly upwardly from the upper surface offloor 112 and terminate at the respective upper ends of the posts.

Ones of upright posts 114 are spaced from and are generally parallel toother ones of upright posts 114, generally about the perimeter of floor112, as desired. As illustrated, one upright post 114 extends upwardlyfrom each of the four corners defined by the perimeter of floor 112.

Bunk feeder 110 includes four walls, one of which is pivotablyactuatable, e.g. a gate/door type wall. Each of the four walls has alower portion and an upper portion. The lower portions of the walls aregenerally closed, e.g. generally upright, planar and continuous andextend between respective ones of the corner upright posts 114.

The upper portions of the walls extend upwardly from the upper surfacesof the lower wall portions. The upper wall portions are generally open,e.g. have generally large apertures extending therethrough, adapted andconfigured to enable an animal to insert its head therethrough, in orderto consume the foodstuff housed in bunk feeder 110.

Namely, the upper wall portions each have an upper wall edge defined bya horizontal bar, or elongate member, which extends generally parallelto the ground and generally perpendicularly between respective ones ofupright posts 114. One or more generally upright bar or elongate memberextends between the upper surface of the lower wall portion and thelower surface of the horizontal bar. As illustrated, the generallyupright bars extend angularly between the lower wall portion and thehorizontal upper bar, although as desired, the generally upright barscan extend generally perpendicularly therebetween or otherwise.

The pivotably actuatable wall member is adapted and configured to enablea user to, as desired, open the bunk feeder 110, in a gate or door likefashion, permitting access to the interior space of the bunk feeder 110.Thus, the pivotably actuatable wall member enables the user to insertfoodstuff into the feeder, remove foodstuff from the feeders, clean thefeeder, and/or otherwise utilize or maintain the feeder as desired.

The pivotably actuatable wall member is generally not fixedly connectedto the ones of the upright posts 114. Rather, the pivotably actuatablewall member includes first and second upright lateral side bars whichextend upwardly between the lower wall portion and the horizontal barand which generally provide the rigidity and/or other structuralintegrity to the pivotably actuatable wall member, similar to therigidity and/or other structural integrity afforded to the other threewalls by respective ones of upright posts 114.

A hinge mechanism “H” attaches one of the upright posts 114 to a lateralportion of the lower wall portion of the pivotably actuatable wallmember, and/or an upright lateral side bar of the pivotably actuatablewall member. Thus, hinge mechanism “H” provides the means through whichthe pivotably actuatable wall member is pivotably connected to theremainder of bunk feeder 110, and generally defines the axis ofpivotation about which the pivotably actuatable wall member pivots.

A locking mechanism, e.g. locking mechanism “LM” is attached to anupright post 114 and is adapted and configured to selectively secure thepivotably actuatable wall member to such upright post. In other words,locking mechanism “LM” enables a user to selectively lock-closed bunkfeeder 110, whereby all four walls are generally fixed with respect tothe remainder of bunk feeder 110. Locking mechanism “LM” includes any ofa variety of suitable mechanical locking mechanisms e.g. pivotable orrotatable members which can selectively extend across and/or otherwiseinterface with portions of the pivotably actuatable wall member, varioushasp and other hinged locks, hook and eye locks, slide bolt locks,barrel bolt locks, and/or others.

Roof 116 is attached to the upper ends of upright posts 114 and includesfirst and second roof panel portions. Each roof panel has a length and awidth dimension, upper and lower surfaces, an inner edge, and an outeredge. The inner edges of the two roof panels are connected to each otherby way of, for example weldment, mechanical fasteners, or otherwise,depending on the material composition of roof 116, e.g. whether roof 116is made from generally metallic materials or generally non-metallicmaterials.

From the seam of joinder between the two roof panels, each of the firstand second roof panels extends generally downwardly and away therefrom.In other words, as viewed from an end elevation view, roof 116 appearsto generally define an inverted-V shape. The particular slope or pitchof the roof panels is selected to be suitable for the intended useenvironment of bunk feeder 110 and depends on various factors whichinclude, but are not limited to, the typical amount and type ofprecipitation in the end use environment, the rate of desired run-off ofsuch precipitation from roof 116, and/or others.

Roof 116 interfaces with and is attached to the upper ends of ones ofupright posts 114. In other words, the lower surface of roof 116interfaces with e.g. the terminal end surface, or other surfaces, of theupper end of various ones, optionally all, of upright posts 114, wherebyones of the upright posts generally support roof 116 and attach the roofto the remainder of bunk feeder 110. Upright posts 114 are attached toroof 116 by any of a variety of attachment means, which include, but arenot limited to, various hardware devices and components such as screws,nails, bolts and nuts, brackets, mending straps, and/or others,optionally weldments, adhesion, and/or otherwise, as desired.

In some embodiments, a plurality of generally horizontal bars or membersattach ones of the upper ends of upright posts 114 to respective otherones of the upper ends of upright posts 114. Namely, the upper ends ofupright posts 114 are attached to each other and provide a generallyrectangular frame, as viewed from above, to which roof 116 is attached.

Referring now to FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 9, movable outdoor shelters 5 includeshelter structures which are outdoor recreational structures and/orshelters, e.g. gazebos 210, which are connected to skid assemblies 17.Gazebos 210 are adapted and configured to be selectively movable and toprovide a venue in which users can generally enjoy the ambient air whilegenerally avoiding direct, downward, exposure to e.g. sunlight,precipitation, and/or other various environmental elements.

Gazebo 210 includes floor 212, upright posts 214, and roof 216. Floor212 is generally planar, has a plurality of side edges which incombination define a generally polygonal perimeter which is illustratedas an octagonal floor perimeter in FIGS. 3 and 9.

Floor 212 can be made from a variety of suitable flooring and/orbuilding materials. In some embodiments, floor 212 includes a pluralityof elongate stringers which can be various dimensional or other lumberor building materials, e.g. 2×4's, 2×6's, 2×8's, 2×10's 2×1 2's and/orothers. The stringers are arranged generally on edge and parallel toeach other, so as to define a flooring frame or skeletal structure. Aplurality of floor sheathing is affixed to the upper surface of theflooring frame which provides a generally planar and continuous flooringsurface.

In other embodiments, floor 212 is generally devoid of continuousflooring sheathing. Rather, floor 212 includes a plurality of elongateflooring members or planks which are arranged adjacent to each other.Respective adjacent ones of the flooring planks abut and interface eachother, optionally are spaced from each other to enable easy draining ofe.g. wash-water, waste liquids, and/or other liquids or various othermaterials, therebetween.

In such embodiments, the assemblage of the plurality of flooring membersgenerally defines floor 212, or at least the upper surface thereof.Although the flooring members can be wooden, the preferred material forthe flooring members are planks of extruded material which includesrecycled plastic, such as high density polyethylene, as a component,optionally as the entire extrusion. Such extruded planks are readilyavailable, are UV resistant, and are non-porous. Thus, the polymericplanks make a tough, non-absorbing surface which does not absorb andhold various non-desired substances which may come into contact withfloor 212 during typical use of gazebo 210.

Upright posts 214 are each an elongate member with a lower end and anupper end. The lower ends of upright posts 214 interface with, and areattached to, floor 214, namely the upper surface of floor 112,optionally to other lower portions of gazebo 210. Upright posts 214extend generally perpendicularly upwardly from the upper surface offloor 212 and terminate at the respective upper ends of the posts.

Ones of upright posts 214 are spaced from and are generally parallel toother ones of upright posts 214, generally about the perimeter of floor212, as desired. As illustrated, one upright post 214 extends upwardlyfrom each of the corners defined by the perimeter of floor 212.

Gazebo 210 includes eight walls, one which has a door and/or doorwayextending therethrough. The door is adapted and configured to permitentrance into and egress from the gazebo 210.

Each of the eight walls has a lower portion and an upper portion. Thelower portions of the walls are generally closed, e.g. generallyupright, planar and continuous and extend between respective ones of thecorner upright posts 214.

The upper portions of the walls extend upwardly from the upper surfacesof the lower wall portions. The upper wall portions are generally open,optionally substantially open, e.g. have generally large window-typeapertures extending therethrough. As desired, the wall apertures remainopen or are covered with a, for example, screen material, storm or otherwindows, or other suitable covering.

Roof 216 is attached to the upper ends of upright posts 214 and includeseight roof side panel portions and optionally a center roof panelportion. Each roof panel has a length, an inner edge, an outer edge, andtapering side edges. Namely the magnitude of the length dimension of theouter edge is greater than the length dimension of the inner edge. Eachof the tapering side edges extends from an end of the outer edge, tapersinwardly toward the inner edge and the other one of the outer edges, andterminates at the inner edge.

In embodiments which include a central roof panel portion, the centralroof panel is e.g. generally planar and octagonal. Each side surface ofthe octagonal central roof portion interfaces a respective inner edge ofones of the side panel portions. And ones of the side panel taperingside edges interface with corresponding other side edges of other sidepanels. In other word, the entire assemblage of roof 216 generallydefines an e.g. partial dome structure, with generally planarcomponents.

Roof 216 interfaces with and is attached to the upper ends of ones ofupright posts 214. In other words, the lower surface of roof 216interfaces with e.g. the terminal end surface, or other surfaces, of theupper end of various ones, optionally all, of upright posts 214, wherebyones of the upright posts generally support roof 216 and attach the roofto the remainder of gazebo 210. Upright posts 214 are attached to roof216 by any of a variety of attachment means, which include, but are notlimited to, various hardware devices and components such as screws,nails, bolts and nuts, brackets, mending straps, optionally weldments,adhesion, and/or otherwise, as desired.

In some embodiments, a plurality of generally horizontal bars or membersattach ones of the upper ends of upright posts 214 to respective otherones of the upper ends of upright posts 214. Namely, the upper ends ofupright posts 214 are attached to each other and provide a generallyoctagonal frame, as viewed from above, to which roof 216 is attached.

Referring now to FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D and 10, movable outdoor shelters 5include shelter structures which are horticultural buildings, botanybuildings, agronomy buildings, and/or other plant care and/or rearingbuildings e.g. greenhouses 310, which are connected to skid assemblies17. Greenhouses 310 are selectively movable, and are generallystructures in which a user can grow/raise plants year round or during amajor portion of the year. Greenhouse 310 is adapted and configured toenable a user to control various climate characteristics with thegreenhouse. Namely, a user can control at least some of e.g. sunlightexposure, other light exposure, temperature, humidity, water, and/orother characteristics of the environment within greenhouse 310.

Greenhouse 310 includes floor 312, upright posts 314, roof 316, andutilities interface assembly 350. Floor 312 is generally planar, has aplurality of side edges which in combination define a generallypolygonal perimeter which is illustrated as a rectangular floorperimeter in FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, and 10.

In some embodiments, floor 312 includes a plurality of elongatestringers which can be various dimensional or other lumber or buildingmaterials, e.g. 2×4's, 2×6's, 2×8's, 2×10's 2×12's and/or others. Thestringers are arranged generally on edge and parallel to each other, soas to define a flooring frame or skeletal structure. A plurality offloor sheathing is affixed to the upper surface of the flooring framewhich provides a generally planar and continuous flooring surface.

In other embodiments, floor 312 is generally devoid of continuousflooring sheathing. Rather, floor 312 includes a plurality of elongateflooring members or planks which are arranged adjacent to each other.Respective adjacent ones of the flooring planks abut and interface eachother, optionally are spaced from each other to enable easy draining ofe.g. wash-water, waste liquids, soil, dirt, or plant matter, plantwater, plant water overflow, condensed humidity, and/or other liquids orvarious other materials, therebetween.

In such embodiments, the assemblage of the plurality of flooring membersgenerally defines floor 312, or at least the upper surface thereof.Although the flooring members can be wooden, the preferred material forthe flooring members are planks of extruded material which includesrecycled plastic, such as high density polyethylene, as a component,optionally as the entire extrusion. Such extruded planks are readilyavailable, are UV resistant, and are non-porous. Thus, the polymericplanks make a tough, non-absorbing surface which does not absorb andhold various non-desired substances which may come into contact withfloor 312 during typical use of greenhouse 310.

Upright posts 314 are each an elongate member with a lower end and anupper end. The lower ends of upright posts 314 interface with, and areattached to, floor 312, namely the upper surface of floor 312,optionally to other lower portions of greenhouse 310. Upright posts 314extend generally perpendicularly upwardly from the upper surface offloor 312 and terminate at the respective upper ends of the posts.

Ones of upright posts 314 are spaced from and are generally parallel toother ones of upright posts 314, generally about the perimeter of floor312, as desired. As illustrated, one upright post 314 extends upwardlyfrom each of the four corners defined by the perimeter of floor 312, aswell as along various other locations about the perimeter of floor 312,e.g. at various locations between the four corners defined by theperimeter of floor 312.

Greenhouse 310 includes four walls, one which has a door and/or doorwayextending therethrough. The door is adapted and configured to permitentrance into and egress from the greenhouse 310.

Each of the four walls is generally clear, semi-clear, translucent,and/or otherwise light transferable, whereby the walls permit sunlightto generally pass therethrough. Each of the four walls is clear orsemi-clear, generally upright, planar and continuous and extends betweenrespective ones of the corner upright posts 314. Thus, the four walls ofgreenhouse 310 generally provide four closure structures which laterallyenclose the sides of greenhouse 310, and extend from floor 312 to roof316.

Roof 316 is attached to the upper ends of upright posts 314 and includesfirst and second roof panel portions. Each of the first and second roofpanel portions is generally clear, semi-clear, translucent, and/orotherwise light transferable.

Each roof panel has a length and a width dimension, upper and lowersurfaces, an inner edge, and an outer edge. The inner edges of the tworoof panels are connected to each other by way of, for example weldment,mechanical fasteners, or otherwise, depending on the materialcomposition of roof 316.

From the seam of joinder between the two roof panels, each of the firstand second roof panels extends generally downwardly and away therefrom.In other words, as viewed from an end elevation view, roof 316 appearsto generally define an inverted-V shape. The particular slope or pitchof the roof panels is selected to be suitable for the intended useenvironment of greenhouse 310 and depends on various factors whichinclude, but are not limited to, the typical amount and type ofprecipitation in the end use environment, the rate of desired run-off ofsuch precipitation from roof 316, and/or others.

Roof 316 interfaces with and is attached to the upper ends of ones ofupright posts 314. In other words, the lower surface of roof 316interfaces with e.g. the terminal end surface, or other surfaces, of theupper end of various ones, optionally all, of upright posts 314, wherebyones of the upright posts generally support roof 316 and attach the roofto the remainder of greenhouse 310. Upright posts 314 are attached toroof 316 by any of a variety of attachment means, which include, but arenot limited to, various hardware devices and components such as screws,nails, bolts and nuts, brackets, mending straps, and/or others, asdesired.

In some embodiments, a plurality of generally horizontal bars or membersattach ones of the upper ends of upright posts 314 to respective otherones of the upper ends of upright posts 314. Namely, the upper ends ofupright posts 314 are attached to each other and provide a generallyrectangular frame, as viewed from above, to which roof 316 is attached.

In some embodiments, such as those illustrated in FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D,and 10, a plurality of joists, rafters, and/or other roof supportmembers, span between corresponding ones of upright members 314, andprovide load bearing and/or other support to roof 316.

Utilities interface assembly 350 is attached to at least one of thewalls of greenhouse 310. The utilities interface assembly 350 includes amounting plate, and an electrical input 355, a water input 360, and awater output 365, ones of which are mounted to the mounting plate.

Electrical input 355 includes a power cord which has a plug at a firstend thereof, and an electrical outlet assembly, in electricalcommunication with a second end of the power cord. The electrical cordextends generally outside of greenhouse 310. The electrical outletassembly is located generally inside greenhouse 310, relativelyproximate or relatively distal the location through which the power cordpasses through the wall as desired.

In some embodiment, such as those of FIGS. 4B and 4C, electrical input355 does not include a cord extending outwardly from a wall as the inputdevice. Rather, electrical input 355 includes, for example, anelectrical junction-type box which houses one or more of an inputreceptacle, an input cord which can be stored in the junction box,and/or other suitable electrical input devices and mechanisms.

Still referring to FIGS. 4B and 4C, some embodiment of greenhouse 310include switch housing 356. Switch housing 356 is, for example, anelectrical junction-type box which housed switches and/or outletstherein. Switch housing 356 is electrically connected, by way of e.g.suitably wires and electrical connectors, to electrical input 355, andas desired is electrically connected to and switchingly controls variousother electrical accessories in greenhouse 310.

The various other electrical accessories of greenhouse 310 include light357. Lights 357 are adapted and configured to illuminate the interior ofgreenhouse 310 and/or to provide the wavelength(s) of light suitable tosustain and promote plant life, growth, and vigor.

Another electrical accessory of greenhouse 310, which is electricallyconnected to switch housing 356 and/or electrical input 355 is fan 358A(FIG. 4C). Fan 358A is adapted and configured to exhaust air from and/orotherwise ventilate greenhouse 310. Preferably, fan 358A is mountedrelatively high upon an exterior wall of greenhouse 310, e.g. at a gableportion thereof or similar location. When fan 358A is mounted relativelyhigh on an exterior wall, the fan correspondingly is able to exhaust thewarmest air within the interior of greenhouse 310, which collects at theuppermost portion of the greenhouse interior space.

Fan 358A preferably includes louvers 358B, which can be pivotable orfixed and which are mounted to the outside of greenhouse 310, outwardlybeyond the fan. Louvers 358B relatively reduce the magnitude ofelemental exposure to fan 358A and correspondingly the amount of e.g.weather precipitation which blows into greenhouse 310 through the fanmounting aperture.

Accordingly, as desired, a user can extend an electrical extension cordfrom an electrical power source to the greenhouse power cord, connectthe greenhouse power cord to the electrical extension cord, and therebyprovide electrical power to e.g. the inside space of greenhouse 310.

Water input 360 is, for example, a section of hose or other tubing witha typical garden hose connection at one end thereof, which is generallyhoused outside of greenhouse 310. The other end of water input 360communicates with and is attached to an e.g. water spigot which extendsinto greenhouse or is otherwise accessible from within greenhouse 360.

Accordingly, as desired, a user can extend a garden or other hose from apressurized water supply to the greenhouse water input hose, and therebyprovide a supply of pressurized water to the greenhouse 310.

Water output 365 is a spigot which is in fluid communication with thegreenhouse water input hose or the interior greenhouse spigot.Accordingly, water output 365 enables a user to utilize pressurizedwater, from a single pressurized water source, both outside and insideof greenhouse 310 simultaneously as desired.

In some embodiment, such as those of FIGS. 4B and 4C, water input 360 isfixedly mounted to greenhouse 310, and extends through one of thegenerally clear exterior walls. Adjacent such exterior wall, water input360 is attached to and in fluid communication with tubing member 362.

Tubing member 362 extends upwardly along the inside of such generallyclear exterior wall, along at least a portion of the height thereof. Theuppermost end of tubing member 362 is connected to and in fluidcommunication with water output 365. In other words, water input 360,tubing member 362, and water output 365, in combination, define aplumbing assembly which enables a user to easily access water whileinside greenhouse 310, and control water flow from inside greenhouse 310by way of water output 365. Tubing member 362 includes e.g. variouspolymeric, elastomeric, metallic, pieces of tubing, hose piping, and/orother structures suitable to convey water therethrough at the desirepressures and in the intended use environment.

Other plumbing assemblies are contemplated, and well within the scope ofthe invention, which include ones of water input 360, tubing member 362,and water output 365, and/or other plumbing accessories and components,as desired by the user, to develop a suitable water access or wateringconfiguration within greenhouse 310. 5 As one example, tubing member 362need not extend generally upwardly between water input 360 and wateroutput 365. Tubing member 362 can extend along any path of extension asdesired, preferably resulting in a relatively convenient mountinglocation for water output 365 which permits easy access thereto.

As another example, in some embodiments, tubing member 362 includes oneor 10 more divisions or branches thereof. Ones of the tubing branchesextend generally above the location of the plants, e.g. above shelves320, and include watering or misting nozzles therein. In suchembodiments, the user of greenhouse 310 can easily water the vegetationtherein be e.g. connecting a garden house to water inlet 360 and in someembodiments also opening water outlet 365 or opening other valvingwithin the plumbing assembly.

Referring now to FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C, 6, 11 and 12, movable outdoorshelters 5 include shelter structures which are animal housingenclosures such dog kennels, calf hutches, bird aviaries, feline housingenclosures, rodent housing enclosures, and/or other animal housingenclosures, e.g. dog kennels 410, which are connected to skid assemblies17.

Dog kennels 410 are selectively movable, and are adapted and configuredto provide shelter, dwelling structure, and/or otherwise house animalse.g. dogs therein.

Dog kennel 410 includes floor 412, upright posts 414, and roof 416.Floor 412 is generally planar, has a plurality of side edges which incombination define a generally polygonal perimeter which is illustratedas a rectangular floor perimeter in FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C, 6, 11, and 12.

Preferably, floor 412 includes a plurality of elongate flooring membersor planks which are arranged adjacent to each other. Respective adjacentones of the flooring planks preferably spaced from each other to enableeasy draining of e.g. wash-water, waste liquids, urine, feces, and/orother liquids or various other materials, therebetween, optionallygenerally abutting and interfacing respective ones of each other.

The assemblage of the plurality of flooring members generally definesfloor 412, or at least the upper surface thereof. Although the flooringmembers can be wooden, the preferred material for the flooring membersare planks of extruded material which includes recycled plastic, such ashigh density polyethylene, as a component, optionally as the entireextrusion. Such extruded planks are readily available, are UV resistant,and are non-porous. Thus, the polymeric planks make a tough,non-absorbing surface which does not absorb and hold various non-desiredsubstances such as food, urine, feces, and/or other substances which maycome into contact with floor 314 during typical use of dog kennel 410.

Upright posts 414 are each an elongate member with a lower end and anupper end. The lower ends of upright posts 414 interface with, and areattached to, floor 412, namely the upper surface of floor 412,optionally to other lower portions of dog kennel 410. Upright posts 414extend generally perpendicularly upwardly from the upper surface offloor 412 and terminate at the respective upper ends of the posts.

Ones of upright posts 414 are spaced from and are generally parallel toother ones of upright posts 414, generally about the perimeter of floor412, as desired. As illustrated, one upright post 414 extends upwardlyfrom each of the four corners defined by the perimeter of floor 412, aswell as along various other locations about the perimeter of floor 412,e.g. at various locations between the four corners defined by theperimeter of floor 412.

Dog kennel 410 includes four walls, one of which has a door and/ordoorway extending therethrough, e.g. door 418. Door 418 is adapted andconfigured to permit entrance into and egress from the dog kennel 410.

Each of the four walls is generally made from ones of e.g. chain linkfencing, wire mesh fencing, poultry wire, tension wires, bars (FIGS. 5B,5C) and/or other suitable materials.

Thus, the four walls of dog kennel 410 generally provide four closurestructures which laterally enclose the sides of dog kennel 410 whilegenerally permitting the ambient air to circulate through the kennel,and extend from floor 412 to roof 416.

Roof 416 is attached to the upper ends of upright posts 414 and isgenerally planar. Preferably, the planar roof 416 is generally slanted,sloped, or pitched which enables e.g. precipitation and/or othersubstances to generally run-off the roof.

Roof 416 is preferably made from various suitable metallic materials.Exemplary of such suitable metallic roofing materials and/or roofingcomponents for roof 416 include, but are not limited to, steel roofingmaterials e.g. standing-seam steel roofing materials, sheet steelmaterials, corrugated steel roofing materials, other steel roofingmaterials, aluminum roofing materials, tin roofing materials, and/orother suitable metallic roofing materials.

However, as desired, roof 416 can be made from any of a variety ofsuitable non-metallic materials and components. Exemplary of suchsuitable non-metallic roofing materials and/or components include, butare not limited to, wood based roofing materials, e.g. wood sheathingwhich may or may not be covered by various shingles, shakes, rubber orother membranes, tiles, and others. Further examples of such suitablenon-metallic roofing materials and/or components include, but are notlimited to, fiberglass roofing materials, various polymeric roofingmaterials, and/or others.

In some embodiments, a plurality of generally horizontal bars or membersattach ones of the upper ends of upright posts 414 to respective otherones of the upper ends of upright posts 414. Namely, the upper ends ofupright posts 414 are attached to each other and provide a generallyrectangular frame, as viewed from above, to which roof 416 is attached.

As illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 11, a space or void is generally definedbetween the uppermost surface of some of the dog kennel walls and thelower surface of roof 416. As desired, one or more elongate members suchas bars, tubing members, piping members, and/or others extend generallyhorizontally between various ones to upright posts 414, which relativelyreduces the opening dimensions of such spaces or voids between therespective walls and the roof 416.

FIG. 5B illustrates an embodiment which does not include typicalfencing-type material(s), rather enclosure walls defined by e.g. bars.Such configuration is desirable when, for example, the kennel housesrelatively dangerous animals therein or animals which are relatively aptto escaping through typical fencing-type material(s).

The embodiment of FIG. 5C illustrates yet another animal enclosure whichincorporates wall structures defined by bars. The embodiment of FIG. 5Cdiffers from that of 5B in that its bars are oriented generallyvertically. A vertical bar orientation proves desirable when theconfined animal might jump or stand on its hind legs, whereby a verticalbar orientation might pose a leg or foot catching hazard.

Other bar positions and configurations are contemplated, but in all suchembodiments, the bars are positioned and/or oriented as desired, e.g.vertical, horizontal, orthogonal, interesting, spaced relatively nearadjacent ones, spaced relatively far from adjacent ones, based on theintended use environment and/or the animal that will be housed therein.

As one example, the bars in some embodiments are made from one-half inchdiameter stock. Adjacent one-half inch bars are spaced two andthree-quarters inch from each other. In other embodiments, the bars aremade from stock which is less than, optionally greater than, one-halfinch diameter and adjacent ones of the bars are spaced less than abouttwo and three-quarters inch from each other, optionally more than abouttwo and three-quarters inch from each other, depending on the particularintended use.

Referring now to FIGS. 5D, 5E and 12, in some embodiments, dog kennels410 generally define two separate and distinct enclosures orhousing/dwelling areas, namely first and second compartments 420 and430. Thus, in some embodiment, the dog kennels enable a user tophysically separate the animal occupants of dog kennels 410, as desired.

Namely, in some embodiments, a divider wall extends generally mediallyand along the length of dog kennel 410. The space defined between afirst sidewall of dog kennel 410 and a first side surface of the dividerwall generally defines first compartment 420. The space defined betweena second sidewall of dog kennel 410 and a second side surface of thedivider wall generally defines second compartment 430. Door 418A isadapted and configured to permit entrance into and egress from firstcompartment 420 of dog kennel 410. Door 428B is adapted and configuredto permit entrance into and egress from second compartment 430 of dogkennel 410.

As desired, the divider wall is made from materials which permit thehoused animal to generally see therethrough such as the same materialsfrom which as the dog kennel exterior walls are made, e.g. chain linkfencing, wire mesh fencing, poultry wire, tension wires, bars (FIG. 5B,5C) and/or others. Optionally, the divider wall is made from materialswhich generally do not permit the housed animal to see therethrough,e.g. solid wood sheets and/or others.

FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C, and 6D, illustrate yet other exemplary animal housingenclosures as movable outdoor shelters 5. The embodiments of FIGS. 6A,6B, 6C, and 6D are particularly well suited as, for example, chickencoops, poultry housing enclosures, and/or other bird and non-bird animalhousing enclosures, e.g. chicken coops 510 which are connected to skidassemblies 17. In other words, although chicken coops 510 are describedas such, it is fully understood that the chicken coops 510 are equallysuitable for housing various other livestock or other animals asdesired, such as rabbits, ferrets, dogs, and/or others.

Chicken coops 510 are selectively movable, and are adapted andconfigured to provide shelter, dwelling structure, and/or otherwisehouse animals e.g. poultry or other birds or animals therein. Chickencoop 510 includes floor 512 (optionally), upright posts 514, and roof516. Floor 512 is generally planar, has a plurality of side edges whichin combination define a generally polygonal perimeter which isillustrated as a rectangular floor perimeter in FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C.

In some embodiments, floor 512 includes a plurality of elongate flooringmembers or planks which are arranged adjacent to each other. Respectiveadjacent ones of the flooring planks preferably spaced from each otherto enable easy draining of e.g. wash-water, waste liquids, urine, feces,and/or other liquids or various other materials, therebetween,optionally generally abutting and interfacing respective ones of eachother.

Like the other floors described herein, the assemblage of the pluralityof flooring members generally defines floor 512, or at least the uppersurface thereof. Also like the other floors described herein, theflooring members can be wooden, polymeric, metallic, and/or othermaterials, as desired.

In some embodiments, such as that of FIG. 6D, floor 512 and the entirechicken coop 510 is elevated from the ground by a distance which isgreater than the thickness dimension of the skid member(s). In suchembodiments, spacer posts 35 span between skid assembly 17 and floor512, similar to those of bunk feeder 110 (FIG. 2A). By elevating chickencoop 510, the birds are kept relatively further from e.g. predatoryanimals such as coyotes, dogs, and/or others. Also, the elevated chickencoop enable the user/handler to access the coop 510 from an uprightstanding position, which generally eliminates the need to squat, stoop,crouch, or otherwise bend to access the enclosure.

Upright posts 514 are each an elongate member with a lower end and anupper end. The lower ends of upright posts 514 interface with, and areattached to, floor 512, namely the upper surface of floor 512,optionally to other lower portions of chicken coops 510. Upright posts514 extend generally perpendicularly upwardly from the upper surface offloor 512 and terminate at the respective upper ends of the posts.

Ones of upright posts 514 are spaced from and are generally parallel toother ones of upright posts 514, generally about the perimeter of floor512, as desired. As illustrated, one upright post 514 extends upwardlyfrom each of the four corners defined by the perimeter of floor 512, aswell as along various other locations about the perimeter of floor 512,e.g. at various locations between the four corners defined by theperimeter of floor 512.

Chicken coop 510 includes a plurality of walls, one of which has a doorand/or doorway extending therethrough, e.g. door 518. Door 518 enablesentrance into and egress from the chicken coop 510.

The embodiments of FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C differ from various othersillustrated, namely differ from the embodiments of FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C,in that they include more than one type of external wall. In otherwords, chicken coops 510 have a first portion made of e.g. continuoussolid panels and a second portion made of e.g. fencing or othernon-continuous surface panels.

The portion of chicken coop 510 which has solid, continuous wallsegments, generally defines a closed portion of the coop, e.g. closedportion 520. The walls of closed portion 520 can be any suitablebuilding material, including, but not limited to, wood and various woodproducts such as plywood, oriented strand board, and others, as well asvarious suitable non-wood, and other, building materials.

The other portion of chicken coop 510, namely fenced portion 530, doesnot have solid, continuous wall segments like those of closed portion520. Rather, fenced portion 530 has wall segments made from, forexample, poultry wire fencing, hardware-cloth, tension wires, bars,chain link fencing, and/or other fencing material or cage material.Accordingly, fenced portion 530 defines an enclosed yet fresh airenvironment for the livestock residing in chicken coop 510.

Chicken coop 510, in some embodiments, includes door “D” which enablesentrance into and egress from the chicken coop 510, by the chickens,other poultry, or other animals (FIGS. 6E and 6F). Door “D” is pivotablyattached, at its lower portion, to the lower portion of the doorhousing. The door housing is, in turn, mounted to a wall of the chickencoop 510. This configuration enables door “D” to also function as a rampto ease the livestock's traverse into and out of the closed portion 520.In some embodiments, door “D” enables movement between closed portion520 and fenced portion 530. In other embodiments, door “D” enablesmovement between closed portion 520 and the outside environment.

Closed portion 520 preferably includes various accessories andstructures therein which are adapted and configured for use by chickenshoused therein. Such accessories and structures include, but are notlimited to, nesting boxes, roosting shelves which are preferablypivotably connected to the walls or otherwise collapsible, and/orothers.

Roof 516 is attached to the upper ends of upright posts 514 and/or otherupper portions of the walls of chicken coop 510. In some embodiments,such as the one illustrated in FIG. 6C, roof 516 includes a single,generally planar sloped segment.

Referring now to FIGS. 6A and 6B, roof 516 includes a plurality ofgenerally planar sloped or pitched segments, which intersect each otherat various peaks and/or valleys.

As desired, roof 516 can span or extend over less than the entireenclosure of chicken coop 510. Exemplary of such embodiments is the coopillustrated in FIG. 6D. The roof 516 of FIG. 6D extends only over closedportion 520. Fenced portion 530 includes a permeable top wall instead ofa relatively watertight roof as in the other embodiments.

Like other roof segments described herein, roof 516 is preferably madefrom various suitable metallic materials such as steel roofing materialse.g. standing-seam steel roofing materials, sheet steel materials,corrugated steel roofing materials, other steel roofing materials,aluminum roofing materials, tin roofing materials, and/or other suitablemetallic roofing materials. Although, as desired, roof 516 can be madefrom any of a variety of suitable non-metallic materials and componentssuch as wood based roofing materials, e.g. wood sheathing which may ormay not be covered by various shingles, shakes, rubber or othermembranes, tiles, fiberglass roofing materials, various polymericroofing materials, and/or others.

As desired, various ones of the portable/movable shelters can be adaptedand configured for human occupancy. Such embodiments, for example, arelargely analogous to the closed portion 520 of chicken coop 510.However, the structure is suitably modified, for example has insulatedwalls, the electrical and plumbing inputs of the greenhouse 310, andother suitable modifications.

Accordingly, the movable shelters can function as, for example, portablehunting or other recreational cabins, temporary living quarters, and/orother structures for temporary or extended human occupancy. In suchembodiments, the movable functionality of the shelter enable a user to,for example, move the shelter relatively nearer a body of water duringpart of the year then move the shelter relatively further from the bodyof water and perhaps relatively nearer a woods during the remainder ofthe year. Thus, a user can enjoy diverse sceneries and locations, withina single piece of property, by moving the shelter, e.g. weekend cabin,between various locations as desired.

To use movable outdoor shelters 5, the user first selects which generaldirection he or she wishes to pull the shelter. Then the user attachestowing device “TD” to respective ones of skid coupling mechanisms 20,which generally correspond to, e.g. relatively most closely face, theintended direction of travel.

The user then attaches the towing device “TD” to the tractor mechanism“T.” Thence, the user drives or otherwise controls tractor mechanism “T”in the intended direction or along an intended path of travel, andarrives at the intended destination. At this point, upon arrival at theintended destination, the user disconnects the towing device “TD” fromthe skid coupling mechanisms 20 and/or tractor mechanism “T.”

It should be noted that while dragging, pulling, towing, hauling,drawing, tugging, movable outdoor shelter 5, the point of attachment oftowing device “TD” and tractor mechanism “T” is relatively higher e.g.further from the ground that the point(s) of attachment of towing device“TD” and skid mechanisms 20 (FIG. 1). In other word, in use, towingdevice “TD” extends generally angularly upwardly from skid assembly 17to tractor mechanism “T.”

Accordingly the towing force applied to skid assembly 17 has a generallyhorizontally directed force vector component and a generally verticallyor upwardly directed force vector component. As such, when movableoutdoor shelter 5 is towed or pulled by way of towing device “TD,” theleading edge(s) of the shelter is urged slightly upwardly in addition tobeing urged in a forward direction.

Also, when for example towing device “TD” is connected to skid couplingmechanisms 20 and a pulling force is applied by e.g. tractor “T,” thedynamic forces applied to movable outdoor shelter 5 are frequentlydifferent at each of skid coupling mechanisms 20. Keeping in mind thatthe mechanism for movement of movable outdoor shelter 5 is dragging theskid members along the ground, with all the associated friction betweenthe skid members and the ground, which is a substantial force, thetorsional, twisting, and/or other forces on movable outdoor shelter 5can be substantial.

Because the user may have to pull movable outdoor shelter 5 along a pathof travel which is, for example, curvilinear or otherwise not astraight-line travel path, different force intensities can be realizedand different ones of the skid coupling mechanisms 20, which might berelatively more apparent when utilizing generally flexible towingdevices “TD” such as cables, chains, ropes, and/or others.

Thus one skid coupling mechanism 20 may be experiencing all of thepulling force while another skid coupling mechanism 20 on the same endof the movable outdoor shelter 5 experiences no force whatsoever throughthe chain, cable, or other towing device “TD,” or only a small portionof the force. The different forces which are simultaneously applied tothe movable outdoor shelter 5 must accordingly be resolved internallywithin the shelter in order for the shelter to move as a single unit.Such resolution is effected largely by the absorption of such forces infloor 16, 116, 216, 316, 416. Namely, the floor transfers the forcedifferences from and between the respective skid members, as well asabsorbing some of the force differences in the floor. Thus, the flooracts as a force distributor and absorber.

Preferably, movable outdoor shelter 5 is made of materials which resistcorrosion, and are suitably strong and durable for normal extended use.Those skilled in the art are well aware of certain metallic andnon-metallic materials which possess such desirable qualities, andappropriate methods of forming such materials.

Appropriate metallic materials for components of movable outdoor shelter5 include, but are not limited to, anodized aluminum, aluminum, steel,stainless steel, titanium, magnesium, brass, and their respectivealloys. Common industry methods of forming such metallic materialsinclude casting, forging, shearing, bending, machining, riveting,welding, powdered metal processing, extruding, molding, and others.

Non-metallic materials suitable for components of movable outdoorshelter 5 are various polymeric compounds, such as for example andwithout limitation, various of the polyolefins, such as a variety of thepolyethylenes, e.g. high density polyethylene, or polypropylenes. Therecan also be mentioned as examples such polymers as polyvinyl chlorideand chlorinated polyvinyl chloride copolymers, various of thepolyamides, polycarbonates, and others.

For any polymeric material employed in structures of the invention, anyconventional additive package can be included such as, for example andwithout limitation, slip agents, anti-block agents, release agents,anti-oxidants, fillers, and plasticizers, to control e.g. processing ofthe polymeric material as well as to stabilize and/or otherwise controlthe properties of the finished processed product, also to controlhardness, bending resistance, and the like.

Common industry methods of forming such polymeric compounds will sufficeto form non-metallic components of movable outdoor shelter 5. Exemplary,but not limiting, of such processes are the various commonly-knownplastics converting processes.

Movable outdoor shelter 5 is preferably manufactured as individualcomponents, and the individual components assembled as sub-assemblies,including but not limited to, shelter structure 10, skid assembly 17,skid coupling mechanism 20, to device “TD.” Each of the aforementionedsub-assemblies is then assembled to respective other ones of thesub-assemblies to develop outdoor shelter 5.

Those skilled in the art will now see that certain modifications can bemade to the apparatus and methods herein disclosed with respect to theillustrated embodiments, without departing from the spirit of theinstant invention. And while the invention has been described above withrespect to the preferred embodiments, it will be understood that theinvention is adapted to numerous rearrangements, modifications, andalterations, and all such arrangements, modifications, and alterationsare intended to be within the scope of the appended claims.

To the extent the following claims use means plus function language, itis not meant to include there, or in the instant specification, anythingnot structurally equivalent to what is shown in the embodimentsdisclosed in the specification.

1. A movable outdoor shelter, for movable use upon an underlying supportsurface, comprising: (a) a plurality of walls which generally defines anupwardly extending perimeter of said movable outdoor shelter; (b) a roofstructure connected to an upper portion of said plurality of walls; (c)a generally planar and continuous floor structure connected to a lowerportion of said plurality of walls and vertically displaced from suchunderlying support surface; and (d) a skid assembly comprising at leasttwo elongate skids generally laterally displaced from and parallel toeach other, said movable outdoor shelter weight anchored upon asupporting land surface, whereby said movable outdoor shelter can beskiddingly moved, between a first location and a second location, whilemaintaining its structural integrity.
 2. A movable outdoor shelter as inclaim 1 wherein said movable outdoor shelter defines a bunk-style feedholder.
 3. A movable outdoor shelter as in claim 1 wherein said movableoutdoor shelter defines a feed holder.
 4. A movable outdoor shelter asin claim 1 wherein said movable outdoor shelter defines a dog kennel. 5.A movable outdoor shelter as in claim 1 wherein said movable outdoorshelter defines a greenhouse.
 6. A movable outdoor shelter as in claim 1wherein said movable outdoor shelter defines a gazebo.
 7. A movableoutdoor shelter as in claim 1 wherein said movable outdoor shelterdefines a chicken coop.
 8. A movable outdoor shelter as in claim 1wherein said movable outdoor shelter defines a livestock housing unit.9. A movable outdoor shelter as in claim 1 wherein ones of said at leasttwo elongate skids defines a generally square cross-sectional area,along a major portion of the length thereof.
 10. A movable outdoorshelter as in claim 1 wherein said skid assembly is removably attachedto said outdoor shelter.
 11. A movable outdoor shelter, comprising: (a)a shelter assembly which includes a floor and a roof, said roof havingfirst and second lateral most edges which define a roof width dimensiontherebetween; and (b) a skid assembly having at least first and secondskid members laterally displaced from each other, each of said first andsecond skid members having an outwardly facing lateral surface, thedistance between said outwardly facing lateral surfaces of said firstand second skid members defining a skid assembly width dimensiontherebetween, wherein the magnitude of the roof width dimension isgreater than the magnitude of the skid assembly width dimension.
 12. Amovable outdoor shelter as in claim 11 wherein said movable outdoorshelter defines a bunk-style feed holder.
 13. A movable outdoor shelteras in claim 11 wherein said movable outdoor shelter defines a feedholder.
 14. A movable outdoor shelter as in claim 11 wherein saidmovable outdoor shelter defines a dog kennel.
 15. A movable outdoorshelter as in claim 11 wherein said movable outdoor shelter defines agreenhouse.
 16. A movable outdoor shelter as in claim 11 wherein saidmovable outdoor shelter defines a gazebo.
 17. A movable outdoor shelteras in claim 11 wherein said movable outdoor shelter defines a chickencoop.
 18. A movable outdoor shelter as in claim 11 wherein said movableoutdoor shelter defines a livestock housing unit.
 19. A movable outdoorshelter as in claim 11 wherein ones of said first and second skidsdefine a generally square cross-sectional area, along a major portion ofthe length thereof.
 20. A movable outdoor shelter as in claim 11 whereinsaid skid assembly is removably attached to said outdoor shelter.
 21. Amovable outdoor shelter, comprising: (a) a shelter assembly whichincludes a roof, said roof, as viewed from above, defining a roofperimeter having a roof perimeter length; and (b) a skid assembly havinga plurality of outwardly facing surfaces which, in combination, define askid assembly perimeter having a skid assembly perimeter length, themagnitude of said roof perimeter length being greater than the magnitudeof the skid assembly perimeter length.
 22. A movable outdoor shelter asin claim 21 wherein generally no portion of said skid assembly extendsoutwardly beyond said roof perimeter.
 23. A movable outdoor shelter asin claim 21 wherein said skid assembly defines a lowermost surfaceadapted and configured to skiddingly interface with an underlyingsupport surface, wherein said skid assembly perimeter length isdetermined at the perimeter of said skid assembly, proximate saidlowermost surface.
 24. A movable outdoor shelter as in claim 21 whereinsaid movable outdoor shelter defines a bunk-style feed holder.
 25. Amovable outdoor shelter as in claim 21 wherein said movable outdoorshelter defines a feed holder.
 26. A movable outdoor shelter as in claim21 wherein said movable outdoor shelter defines a dog kennel.
 27. Amovable outdoor shelter as in claim 21 wherein said movable outdoorshelter defines a greenhouse.
 28. A movable outdoor shelter as in claim21 wherein said movable outdoor shelter defines a gazebo.
 29. A movableoutdoor shelter as in claim 21 wherein a first one of said at least twoelongate skids defines a ground contact surface and a length thereof andgenerally lies under a first wall of said shelter, the magnitude of thelength of said ground contact surface of said first skid being less thanthe magnitude of the length of said wall, whereby said first skidcontact surface is relatively shorter than the length of said firstwall.
 30. A movable outdoor shelter as in claim 21 wherein said skidassembly is removably attached to said outdoor shelter.